Trump to Rename Department of Defense as Department of War

The White House announced that President Trump will sign an executive order on Friday, renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War. This action fulfills the president's commitment to reorient the armed forces, returning to a name used for over a century and a half, until shortly after World War II.

This anticipated measure highlights Mr. Trump's ongoing efforts to reshape the military. The goal is to align it with his vision of projecting a more assertive image, emphasizing war-fighting capabilities.

Mr. Trump has consistently aimed to demonstrate strength, contrasting this with what he and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth perceive as a decline in military morale and mission focus under the previous administration. He has frequently referenced the nation's historical dominance in global conflicts, expressing the belief that these achievements have not been sufficiently recognized.

The initial report of Mr. Trump's plan to sign the executive order came from Fox News.

The idea of renaming the department was first discussed by Mr. Trump in the Oval Office in August. He expressed his preference for the name, believing it was more fitting. He stated that the name change would serve as a reminder of the country's military successes under the previous name, specifically mentioning World War I and II.